Pool cue shaping device

ABSTRACT

A pool cue shaping device, comprising: a block comprising a block exterior, one or more block exterior side surfaces, block cross-sections, two block ends and a block length; and at least one recessed elongated concave shaper, wherein the recessed elongated concave shaper comprises an elongated concave channel within the block exterior side surface, the elongated concave channel extending along the entire block length, the elongated concave channel having a channel width corresponding to the width of a pool cue tip such that the concave channel closely cradles the pool cue tip.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

Not applicable.

STATEMENTS REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT

Not applicable.

BACKGROUND

The embodiments of the present invention satisfy the needs of having a pool cue shaping device.

Information relevant to attempts to address these problems can be found in U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,602,143; 6,341,399; 6,226,825; 5,865,682; 5,104,122; and 4,785,586; which are not admitted to be prior art with respect to the present invention by its mention in this Background Section. However, it is desirable to have a better device than is disclosed in the references.

Existing pool cue tip shaping devices are of three types: those using a circular conical hole, those using an elongated strip, and those using concave hemispherical shapers (e.g., U.S. Pat. No. 6,602,143). The circular conical hole often creates a relatively flat tip, which is not desirable for purposes of the game of pool; and it is ergonomically relatively complicated to use, requiring twisting. The elongated strip is sometimes flat, which provides no assistance in shaping the tip. If the elongated strip is concave, it is so wide that it does not cradle or guide the tip white rubbing the tip against the strip, and it is so lightweight that it is unstable white being used; moreover, since it is held in a relatively thin holder, it is hard to hold white using. The concave hemispherical shaper is ergonomically relatively complicated to use, as it requires twisting. The embodiments of the present invention remedy these disadvantages and provide further benefits which will become apparent as the embodiments are used.

SUMMARY

The embodiments of the present invention are directed to an apparatus that satisfies the needs set out in the Background section.

The embodiments of the present invention comprise a block having a block exterior, block exterior side surfaces, block cross-sections, two block ends and a block length; and at least one recessed elongated concave shaper, wherein the recessed elongated concave shaper comprises an elongated concave channel recessed within a block exterior side surface, the elongated concave channel extending along the entire block length, the elongated concave channel having a channel width corresponding to the width of a pool cue tip such that the concave channel closely cradles the pool cue tip. Optionally, the device further comprises a cue tip perforator.

Some Advantages of the Embodiments of the Invention

The present invention overcomes the disadvantages of the relevant art by offering a channel that is narrow enough so that it cradles and guides the pool cue tip white the tip is being slid and shaped in the channel, whereby the tip tends to stay firmly and securely in the channel, whereby the tip moves with stability along the channel, and whereby the tip stays in constant stable contact with the channel surface as it moves in the channel. The embodiments of the invention have a further advantage of being heavy enough to be stable white being used. In addition, setting the channel in a block makes the channel easier to hold white using. The channel in contrast to the circular conical hole-type sharpener allows the user to engage in more controlled shaping; he is able to more precisely craft and shape the tip. Moreover, the movement of running the channel along the pool cue tip is ergonomically easier to perform and control than the movement of twisting the shaper on pool cue tip. These and other advantages will become apparent as the embodiments of the invention are used.

DRAWINGS

These and other features, aspects and advantages of the embodiments of the device and/or methods will become better understood with reference to the following description, appended claim and accompanying drawings where:

FIG. 1 shows an exploded view of an embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 2 shows a perspective view of an embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 3 shows a top view of an embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 4 shows a rear view of an embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 5 shows a front view of an embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 6 shows a bottom view of an embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 7 shows a right side view of an embodiment of the invention; and

FIG. 8 shows a left side view of an embodiment of the invention.

REFERENCE NUMERALS FOR DRAWINGS

-   block 10 -   lid 20 -   block exterior side surface 21 -   cylindrical cavity 23 -   receptacle 25 -   rear of a side 27 -   elongated concave channel 29 -   lid 31 -   beveled side 33 -   finger cavity 35 -   cue tip perforator 39 -   abrasive material 37

DESCRIPTION

Definitions

The embodiments of the invention apply to a typically pool cue, such as those described in http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cue_stick.

Description of the Preferred Embodiment

Referring now to the drawings FIGS. 1-8, the preferred embodiment of the pool cue shaping device comprises:

-   A. a block 10 comprising a block exterior, one or more block     exterior side surfaces 21, block cross-sections, two block ends and     a block length; and -   B. at least one recessed elongated concave shaper, wherein the     recessed elongated concave shaper comprises an elongated concave     channel 29 recessed within a block exterior side surface 21, the     elongated concave channel 29 extending along the entire block     length, the elongated concave channel having a channel width     corresponding to the width of a pool cue tip such that the concave     channel closely cradles the pool cue tip. The block has one block     exterior side surface when it is a cylinder. The block has three     block exterior side surfaces when it has triangular cross-sections.     The block has four block exterior side surfaces when it has square     or rectangular cross-sections. And so forth.

Optionally, the device further comprises a cue tip perforator 39 within a cylindrical cavity in a block exterior side surface 21, the perforator 39 having protrusions.

Optionally, the elongated concave channel 29 further comprises a channel surface comprising an abrasive material 37 such as sandpaper.

Optionally, the elongated concave channel 29 has a channel width of three-eighths of an inch (⅜″).

Optionally, the elongated concave channel 29 has a channel width of five-eighths of an inch (⅝″).

Optionally, the elongated concave channel 29 has a channel width of one-half inch (½″).

Optionally, the elongated concave channel 29 has a channel width in the range of between about three-eighths of an inch (⅜″) and one-half inch (½″).

Optionally, the block 10 is generally rectangular with four block exterior side surfaces 21, though other block shapes are possible.

Optionally, the rectangular block comprises one elongated channel in each of three block exterior side surfaces wherein one elongated concave channel has a channel width of three-eighths of an inch (⅜″), one elongated concave channel has a channel width of five-eighths of an inch (⅝″), and one elongated concave channel has a channel width of one-half inch (½″).

Optionally, the block 10 is made from wood.

Optionally, the block 10 is made from a material selected from the group consisting of plastics, resins, nylons, composite materials, and metal.

Optionally, the device further comprises a receptacle 25 within the rear 27 of one block exterior side surface 21, the receptacle 25 covered with a lid 31 stidably attached to the block exterior side surface 21.

Optionally, the lid further comprises beveled edges 33 and a finger cavity 35 to facilitate sliding open the lid.

Optionally, the block 10 has a block length of four inches.

Optionally, the block 10 has a block length of six inches.

Optionally, the block 10 has a block length of nine inches.

Optionally, the block 10 has a block length of a length in the range of between about four to nine inches.

Some Alternative Embodiments

Optionally, the block 10 is ergonomically shaped with concave areas for the thumb and fingers.

Optionally, the block 10 tapers along the block length.

Optionally, the block 10 is rectangular with rounded edges.

Optionally, the block 10 is rectangular with block cross sections that are rectangular having dimensions one inch by one and a half inches.

The embodiments of the invention are best used by setting the end of the pool cue on the ground, with the tip end facing up. The cue is held in one hand and the block is held in the other hand. The cue is held immobile white the block is scraped in one direction over the tip, thus shaping the tip.

Some advantages of the embodiments of the apparatus were previously enumerated in the Summary section. Every advantageous feature does not need to be incorporated into every embodiment of the apparatus and/or methods.

Although these versions of the invention have been described in considerable detail, other versions are possible. For example, blocks other than rectangular blocks are possible, such as blocks having complex cross-sections, cylindrical blocks, blocks having cross-sections with rounded edges, and blocks having anywhere from three sides to more than six sides; and embodiments can comprise combinations of the features described herein, such as combinations of the dependent claims. Therefore, the spirit and scope of the appended claims should not be limited to the description of the versions contained therein. 

1. A pool cue shaping device, comprising: A. a block comprising a block exterior, one or more block exterior side surfaces, block cross-sections, two block ends and a block length; and B. at least one recessed elongated concave shaper, wherein the recessed elongated concave shaper comprises an elongated concave channel recessed within a block exterior side surface, the elongated concave channel extending along the entire block length, the elongated concave channel having a channel width corresponding to the width of a pool cue tip such that the concave channel closely cradles the pool cue tip.
 2. The device of claim 1, further comprising a cue tip perforator within a cylindrical cavity in a block exterior side surface, the perforator having protrusions.
 3. The device of claim 1 wherein the elongated concave channel further comprises a channel surface comprising an abrasive material.
 4. The device of claim 1 wherein the elongated concave channel has a channel width of three-eighths of an inch (⅜″).
 5. The device of claim 1 wherein the elongated concave channel has a channel width of five-eighths of an inch (⅝″).
 6. The device of claim 1 wherein the elongated concave channel has a channel width of one-half inch (½″).
 7. The device of claim 1 wherein the elongated concave channel has a channel width in the range of between about three-eighths of an inch (⅜″) and one-half inch (½″).
 8. The device of claim 1 wherein the block is generally rectangular with four block exterior side surfaces.
 9. The device of claim 8 comprising one elongated channel in each of three block exterior side surfaces wherein one elongated concave channel has a channel width of three-eighths of an inch (⅜″), one elongated concave channel has a channel width of five-eighths of an inch (⅝″), and one elongated concave channel has a channel width of one-half inch (½″).
 10. The device of claim 1 wherein the block is made from wood.
 11. The device of claim 1 wherein the block is made from a material selected from the group consisting of plastics, resins, nylons, composite materials, and metal.
 12. The device of claim 1 further comprising a receptacle within a block exterior side surface, the receptacle covered with a lid slidably attached to the block exterior side surface.
 13. (canceled)
 13. The device of claim 1 wherein the block has a block length of four inches.
 14. The device of claim 1 wherein the block has a block length of six inches.
 15. The device of claim 1 wherein the block has a block length of nine inches.
 16. The device of claim 1 wherein the block has a block length of a length in the range of between about four to nine inches.
 17. The device of claim 1 wherein the block is ergonomically shaped with concave areas for the thumb and fingers.
 18. The device of claim 1 wherein the block tapers along the block length.
 19. The device of claim 8 wherein the block cross sections have rounded edges.
 20. The device of claim 8 wherein the block cross sections that are rectangular having dimensions one inch by one and a half inches. 